HOT: Demetre opens on ill-fated site

Published: 23 July, 2008

Former Putney Bridge owner Anthony Demetre is to launch a brasserie restaurant in the building that once housed Bruno Loubet's Bruno Soho venture. The new restaurant, opening in April, will be sited where Loubet left after a split with his partners. It is also the location of other now-defunct ventures, such as Claudio Pulze's Frith Street.You've got to cater for the masses,' said Demetre. That doesn't mean cheap food or shoddy service - just value for money. I hated the chi-chi reputation [of] Putney Bridge.'Called Arbutus, after the trees that Soho Square once had in abundance, the restaurant will combine Spanish, French and Indian food and list Mouton Rothschild by the glass. Once a bottle of such expensive claret is open, a bell will be rung to inform the whole restaurant.

Former Putney Bridge owner Anthony Demetre is to launch

a brasserie restaurant in the building that once housed Bruno Loubet?s Bruno Soho venture. The new restaurant, opening in April, will be sited where Loubet left after a split with his partners. It is also the location of other now-defunct ventures, such as Claudio Pulze?s Frith Street.

?You?ve got to cater for the masses,? said Demetre. ?That doesn?t mean cheap food or shoddy service ? just value for money. I hated the chi-chi reputation [of] Putney Bridge.?

Called Arbutus, after the trees that Soho Square once had in abundance, the restaurant will combine Spanish, French and Indian food and list Mouton Rothschild by the glass. Once a bottle of such expensive claret is open, a bell will be rung to inform the whole restaurant.